Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that all school boards of education in New Jersey must be members of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). Currently, every school board is mandated to join NJSBA, pay annual dues, and appoint a delegate to represent them. The bill allows school boards to choose whether to join or leave NJSBA at any time, meaning they can avoid paying dues and appointing a delegate if they opt out. As a result, NJSBA membership becomes voluntary for all school districts.

Maddy summaryBill A272 eliminates the time limit for prosecuting human trafficking crimes in New Jersey, allowing prosecutors to file charges at any time regardless of when the crime occurred. Currently, such cases must be prosecuted within five years of the offense, but this bill removes that deadline. The change specifically applies to human trafficking offenses defined under New Jersey law (including sections 2C:11-3 and 2C:11-4 of the criminal code). This policy shift directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims by removing a fixed deadline for filing charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows each New Jersey county's Surrogate (probate court official) to create electronic systems that accept digital signatures for specific probate documents. It covers forms like applications for probate, executor qualifications, surety bonds, and asset affidavits, but explicitly excludes wills. The Surrogate must establish these systems to replace paper-based processes for these designated forms. The Supreme Court may issue rules to support implementation, and the law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits school bus drivers in New Jersey to administer epinephrine to students experiencing anaphylaxis emergencies under specific conditions. It requires written parental authorization, physician orders confirming the student's need for epinephrine, and a signed liability waiver from parents acknowledging no legal recourse against the school or driver. School bus drivers must complete standardized training approved by the Department of Health before acting as delegates. The policy directly affects students with documented anaphylaxis, their families, school districts, nonpublic schools, and bus contractors. It also provides legal protection for all parties involved, barring willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1416) requires New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive stress test analysis every three years. It examines the state's ability to maintain essential services and assist residents during economic shifts, directly affecting all state-funded programs and residents. The analysis must project tax and federal revenue trends, compare them to historical data, assess changing spending needs, account for state reserves (including the Surplus Revenue Fund), and identify recession-response strategies. The results must be published online and included in the Governor's annual budget message for public transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase penalties for motor vehicle theft in New Jersey, upgrading it from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime. Currently, motor vehicle theft is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine, but the bill would increase the maximum sentence to 10 years and the fine to $150,000. The bill also authorizes courts to sentence minors under 18 convicted of motor vehicle theft to home detention, allowing them to leave home only for court appearances, probation appointments, attorney meetings (with notice), or other court-approved reasons. Additionally, it requires courts to schedule a hearing for minors arrested for motor vehicle theft within 48 hours of arrest.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and carjacking in New Jersey, imposing fines of $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses, along with possible driving privilege suspensions up to 10 years. It establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for defendants who commit motor vehicle theft or carjacking followed by subsequent, interdependent crimes within a short timeframe. The presumption can be rebutted by the defendant with a preponderance of evidence, but if not, the defendant would be detained before trial. This makes certain sequences of crimes a first-degree offense punishable by 10-20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill would shift the administration of affordable housing obligations from municipalities to the state-level Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), requiring COAH to calculate the statewide affordable housing need rather than relying on municipal or regional calculations. Municipalities would submit housing elements to COAH detailing their current housing stock and potential for affordable housing development, and COAH would grant "substantive certification" to qualifying municipalities, shielding them from exclusionary zoning lawsuits. The bill would require COAH to develop fair share plans for each municipality based on the statewide need and establish a mediation process for disputes about these plans. This change would replace the current system where municipalities determine their own affordable housing obligations with a centralized statewide approach.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a legal presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in a child's best interest, meaning courts must assume both parents should share decision-making authority and the child should spend equal or nearly equal time with each parent. A parent seeking to avoid joint custody must provide clear and convincing evidence that it would harm the child, and the court must document its reasoning if it deviates from this presumption. The bill does not change the requirement that custody arrangements must align with the child's best interests but shifts the starting point for court decisions to joint custody. It applies to all child custody cases in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals with developmental disabilities aged 21+ who previously couldn't access special education due to behavioral issues (now resolved) to attend approved special education programs if they would benefit. It also permits these individuals to simultaneously participate in both an adult day program (providing daily habilitation services) and an employment program (offering sheltered work training) after transitioning from child services to adult services. To qualify, they must meet each program's eligibility requirements and have their personalized care plan document authorization for both programs. The bill directly affects adults with developmental disabilities in New Jersey who are transitioning from youth to adult service systems.